Interpreting how to play this zig-zag is open to interpretation, as the Clippers lost last night...but managed a spread cover in a 102-95 setback. In the bigger picture, the Rockets have become increasingly unreliable, covering just 5 of their last 21 games, that big hammer we saw early in the season having disappeared. It seems a case of rinse-and-repeat lately for the Rockets, as whenever Kevin Durant gets double-teamed or denied in the 4th Q, Houston's offense seems to struggle. The Clippers still await James Harden successor Darius Garland in the backcourt, but ex-Pacer Bennedict Mathurin made his LA debut last night, and as long as Kawhi Leonard is on the floor (he scored 24 points last night), the Clips merit consideration. Play Clippers